Sweet and Savory Pear Recipes for Any Occasion

When the weather cools and autumn arrives, folks head to their kitchens and get busy planning Thanksgiving menus, pumpkin desserts, and tons of apple recipes. But there’s another fall fruit worth eating and using: pears! Though sometimes considered the underdog to its popular apple cousin, pears—when in season—are juicy, sweet, and just as delicious. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best pear recipes to try this fall. Here, you'll find sweet desserts, cocktails, savory main courses, appetizers, and even fall salads. (Hope you're hungry!)

When it comes to pear varieties, there are many. Brown Bosc pears, for example, are sweet but firm for baking, and green Anjou pears are better for eating raw. No matter the variety, though, pears can be sliced into salads, roasted with other fall veggies (like butternut squash), or paired with flavorful blue cheese on a crostini. And of course, pears can be baked into your favorite fall desserts: pies, crumbles, cakes, and more!